Chapter 39 - Page 2

now almost

entirely confined to Spanish America, is said to be of great

antiquity; and to have come, originally, from the East. It was

used, we are told, by a pastoral people of Persian descent; of

whom eight thousand accompanied the army of Xerxes. By the

Spanish Americans, it is used for a variety of purposes; and

among others, for hauling wood. Without dismounting, they cast

the noose around a log, and thus drag it to their houses. The

vaqueros, or Indian cattle drivers, have also learned the use of

the laso from the Spaniards; and employ it to catch the half-wild

cattle by throwing it round their horns.

The laso is also of great use in furnishing the public with a

favorite, though barbarous sport; the combat between a bear and a

wild bull. For this purpose, three or four horsemen sally forth

to some wood, frequented by bears, and, depositing the carcass of

a bullock, hide themselves in the vicinity. The bears are soon

attracted by the bait. As soon as one, fit for their purpose,

makes his appearance, they run out, and with the laso,

dexterously noose him by either leg. After dragging him at full

speed until he is fatigued, they secure him more effectually; and

tying him on the carcass of the bullock, draw him in triumph to

the scene of action. By this time, he is exasperated to such

frenzy, that they are sometimes obliged to throw cold water on

him, to moderate his fury; and dangerous would it be, for horse

and rider, were he, while in this paroxysm, to break his bonds.

A wild bull, of the fiercest kind, which has been caught and

exasperated in the same manner, is now produced; and both animals

are turned loose in the arena of a small amphitheatre. The mortal

fight begins instantly; and always, at first, to the disadvantage

of Bruin; fatigued, as he is, by his previous rough riding.

Roused, at length, by the repeated goring of the bull, he seizes

his muzzle with his sharp claws, and clinging to this most

sensitive part, causes him to bellow with rage and agony. In his

heat and fury, the bull lolls out his tongue; this is instantly

clutched by the bear; with a desperate effort he overturns his

huge antagonist; and then dispatches him without difficulty.

Beside this diversion, the travellers were likewise regaled with

bull-fights, in the genuine style of Old Spain; the Californians

being considered the best bull-fighters in the Mexican dominions.

After a considerable sojourn at Monterey, spent in these very

edifying, but not very profitable amusements, the leader of this

vagabond party set out with